News in Brief: 11/8

Crystal M. Fleming ’04 presents “Discovering Racism in France”

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Ethos, an organization that supports students of African descent, co-sponsored a lecture with the Sociology Department entitled “Discovering Racism in France,” in Harambee House. Crystal M. Fleming ’04, a professor at Stony Brook University, gave the lecture, in which she discussed her book “Resurrecting Slavery: Racial Legacies and White Supremacy in France.” Throughout her talk, Fleming discussed her Wellesley experience and how her professors, mentoring program and junior year abroad helped inspire the research for her book. During a reception after the lecture, Dr. Fleming held a book signing.

College honors Trustee Emerita Elizabeth “Betsy” Wood Knapp ’64

(1943-2017)

On Friday Nov. 3, the Wellesley community gathered in Jewett Auditorium to celebrate the life and legacy of Betsy Knapp, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 74. Knapp was a leader in the field of online interactive computer software who served on the Wellesley College Board of Trustees for 15 years. The Knapp Media and Technology Center and the Knapp Social Science Center are named after her. The event was attended by members of her family, her husband, faculty and staff, alumnae and students. President Paula Johnson and Provost Andy Shennan spoke about Knapp’s life and on her far-reaching impact on campus.

Dean Steinwert Honored with Portrait in Syracuse University Chapel

On Monday Nov. 6, Dean of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life Tiffany Steinwert was celebrated for her work as dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University. At the ceremony, a portrait of Steinwert, the chapel’s sixth dean and first woman to serve in the role, was unveiled and dedicated. Steinwert served as head of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse from 2010 to 2015 before coming to Wellesley. At Wellesley, Steinwert, an ordained Elder in the Methodist Church, also serves as Dean of the Chapel.

College Government announces Town Hall for multicultural requirement

On Thursday Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. in Tishman Commons, the Wellesley community is invited to participate in a town hall on the multicultural requirement, which has been recently called into question for its lax nature, particularly in contrast with other distribution requirement. The Multicultural Affairs Coordinator (MAC) Dina Al-Zu’bi ’19 spearheaded the movement to change the distribution requirement and originally ran on a platform dedicated in part to reform the requirement to be more comprehensive. College Government is soliciting questions and input ahead of the town hall to guide the conversation.